Ncar Information

The National Conference on the Advancement of Research (NCAR) grew out of experiences during and immediately following World War II, when government interest and money transformed the scientific and research communities of the United States. Wartime agencies, the National Defense Research Committee (NDRC) and its successor, the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD), created many new laboratories and research organizations, drawing numerous academics into the government/defense community. The success of significant war-related research projects convinced many in the government and much of the public of the benefits produced by research and development (R&D), and therefore, the need for continuing large-scale scientific efforts. After the war, research efforts continued, and the R&D community searched for structures and processes that would produce effective management of resources and personnel. During wartime, managers and administrators working in Boston-area laboratories held meetings to discuss problems encountered at labs such as the Radio Research Lab, the Harvard Underwater Sound Lab, and various labs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As the United States settled back into times of peace, several in the group sought a way to continue sharing with and learning from others, and they planned a conference to be held at Pennsylvania State College.